The Cape Fear Capital Connection on MyTalker Radio. WMYT fm Monday, November 10, 2014 Curtis Wright and Thomas Vass Discuss How Do Small Technology Firms In The Cape Fear Valley Take Maximum Advantage of the Future Aviation Manufacturing Cluster Coming To The Regional Economy?

The Cape Fear Capital Connection Model of Regional Innovation Fits With The Coming Aviation Cluster For Small Firms Generation 1 Deal Mapping for Aviation Ideas Deal Creation Deal funding Deal Exits Profit Re-investment in Regional Aeronautics Companies Generation 2 Deal Mapping Deal Creation Deal funding Deal Exits

Recent News Announcements About Aviation In North Carolina All Point In The Same Direction Greensboro-based group says aviation and aerospace offer a growth opportunity. November 4, 2014 Richard M. Barron. Greensboro News & Record “Honda Aircraft and Haeco, formerly TIMCO, employ close to 3,000 workers at Piedmont Triad International Airport alone…“smaller companies employ another 15,000 workers in aviation-related jobs in this Triad region, and opportunity for business and workers is growing here and across the state, according to NC Aerospace…” In other words, the employment multiplier in aviation is five workers in small firms for every one worker in the bigger firms.

Larger Aviation Companies Are Expanding In North Carolina Cary's LORD Corp. helps Sikorsky make Army's Kiowa Warrior chopper replacement Oct 30, 2014, The Sikorsky S-97 RAIDER Dawn Wallace Staff Writer- Triangle Business Journal Dawn Wallace CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- UTC Aerospace Systems is supporting the development of Boeing's CST-100 Commercial Crew Transportation System, which won a $4.2B Commercial Crew Transportation Capability Contract (CCtCap) from NASA on September 16, UTC Aerospace, Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Systems has approximately 150 sites operating in 26 countries

After the Break: How To Move Forward For Small Company Growth From Aviation Manufacturing? How the new aviation industrial park at ILM fits into the bigger picture. How the military purchasing power in Fayetteville fits into the bigger picture. How firms in Brunswick, Pender and New Hanover connect to aviation partners in Cumberland, Bladen and Columbus counties?

First step: What firms are already here in the region that could benefit? The incumbent small firms suggest which parts of the bigger aviation cluster to build out. The incumbent big firms suggest where the local supply chain opportunities are. Looking at the gaps between small firms, as suppliers, and big firms supply chains, suggests where the economic gaps are.

Second Step: Ask The Small Firms What Resources They Need To Take Advantage of the Opportunities They need the right kind of capital for existing, operational companies, not startups or new ventures. They need the right kind of skilled workers that they can train on the job and certify their skills at the end of the training. They need access to the larger firms internal buying divisions.

Next Steps? A Private Sector Initiative Aimed At Local Technology Companies and Support Firms Create private sector steering committee of CEOs and executives to coordinate with NC Aviation Association. Create policy guidelines for how local supply chains connect to global corporate supply chains. Identify the regional capital market resources that local companies need to take advantage of the aviation opportunity.